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The governments of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape have released new data showing the areas in the two provinces that have seen an increase in coronavirus cases.
These ‘hot spots’ are a point of growing concern for provincial governments, and both are considering introducing local closures to slow the spread.
The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) will meet virtually on Tuesday (December 1) to discuss the resurgence of cases seen in these critical areas.
Two sources close to the discussions said News 24 that bars and taverns are likely to be first in the line of fire when it comes to restrictions, and that the sale of alcohol is likely to be restricted.
Other restrictions to be discussed include a proposal to implement a stricter curfew and restrict the maximum number of meetings and other measures to slow the spread of Covid-19 before the holiday period.
Cape Town
Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde met with health officials on Friday, with a five-point plan from the health department to be presented to the provincial cabinet on Tuesday for adoption.
On Monday, Winde said his government is considering the “blunt instrument” of a mini-blockade, indicating it is a last resort option.
He called on people to continue social distancing and practice health and safety precautions while wearing a mask, and encouraged residents to reduce planned events as the country approaches the holiday season.
“What is happening in other parts of the world, like Australia and Singapore, is what they call circuit breaker. The easiest way to explain it would be a mini block, ”he said.
This involves putting certain regulations in a municipality or district for six days: no weddings, no funerals, no super broadcast events, no issued permits.
Data released by the Western Cape provincial government shows that most major regions have seen an alarming increase in cases.
The marked increases of 73% in new Covid-19 cases and 28% in new Covid-19 deaths over the past seven days paint a clear picture of why the Cape metropolis has been considered to have established a resurgence. .
Subway sub-districts of major concern, such as Southern Suburbs (87%), Mitchells Plain (185%) and Khayelitsha (92%) have seen the highest number of new cases this week.
Over the past seven days, Garden Route has seen a 117% increase in new Covid-19 cases and a 96% increase in deaths.
“After registering 1,282 new cases and 25 new deaths in the last seven days, all areas of the Garden Route are of great concern.
“As we have seen during the first wave of infections, once community transmission is established within communities, especially on the Garden Route as a major tourist destination, the situation can deteriorate rapidly if not controlled soon.”
Some of the other areas of the province that have been identified as a concern include:
- Beaufort West
- Mountain river
- Breede Valley
- Cape Agulhas
- Cederberg
- Drakenstein
- Langeberg
- Saldanha Bay
- Theewaterskloof
- Witzenberg
Port elizabeth
Nelson Mandela Bay Township publishes a daily map showing the metro regions that have seen an outbreak in the cases.
The data shows that Uitenhage is one of the key areas of concern, along with Motherwell, Walmer, New Brighton and Zwide.
Nelson Mandela Bay Acting Mayor Thsonono Buyeye has said that national and provincial health authorities are considering a number of restrictions to combat the rise in coronavirus cases in the region, including limitations on how and where alcohol can be sold.
Buyeye said Cape Talk that officials had submitted a series of proposed restrictions to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, including:
- Introducing an earlier curfew. South Africa currently has a national curfew between 00:00 and 04:00;
- Other restrictions on public gatherings;
- The temporary suspension of the sale of alcoholic beverages in taverns.
Buyeye did not clarify whether alcohol sales would be affected at restaurants or liquor stores.
Speaking about restrictions around the sale of liquor, Buyeye said that city tavern owners have put forward a proposal to allow ‘take out alcohol sales’ in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus through consumption. in the place.
“It’s about time the owners (of the tavern) started doing things differently by making sure people don’t come to drink on their premises,” he said.
He added that these decisions have yet to be confirmed by the government’s National Coronavirus Command Council, and a decision to be announced later this week.
Read: Businesses are likely to support local locks in South Africa, but only if these conditions are met
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